What is 3/4 - 5/9?

Here's how to subtract 5/9 from 3/4:

3

4

−

5

9

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 3 by 9, and get 27.

Then we multiply 5 by 4, and get 20.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 4 × 9 = 36.

So now our fractions look like this:

27

36

−

20

36

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

27 − 20 = 7

So the answer is:

7

36

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?